Car-step.



PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

J. W. BUCHANAN.

GAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1004.

N0 MODEL.

Wit

nectcd in pairs by pintles 8.

UNITED STATES Patented July 5, 1904.

JAMES It. BUCHANAN, OF ARRAN, FLORIDA.

CAR-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,420, dated. July 5, 1904.

Application filed January 16, 1904. Senal No. 189,352. (No model.)

2'0 In, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES W. BUoI-IANAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Arrau, in the county of Wakulla and State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Car-Step, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to car-steps, and has for its objects to provide a comparatively simple inexpensive device of this character designed for use more particularly upon street-cars to permit ready ascent or descent to and from the latter and one which in practice may when not in use be readily folded.

To these ends the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved device, showing the auxiliary steps in unfolded condition. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the steps folded. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a detail view.

Referring the drawings, 1 designates a carplatform, and 2 the main permanent steps with which the same is usually provided. These parts are of any suitable or preferable construction and material, inasmuch as they constitute no part of my invention.

In accordance with my invention I attach beneath the lowermost step 2 a pair of auxiliary steps 3, the treads and rises 4: 5 of which are pivotally connected and adapted when not in use to be folded to a compact position beneath the said step 2. These auxiliary steps are pivotally connected by a series of links 6 7, to which the treads and .rises are respectively attached, these links being disposed at opposite ends of the steps and pivotally con- The uppermost links 7 are pivoted to supportingarms or brackets 9, secured to the step 2, and the pairs of links 6 7 are provided at their pivotal points with overlapping ends 10, designed to engage ofl'set portions or stops 11, formed on the adjacent links, to limit opening movement of the latter beyond the complete open or unfolded position of the auxiliary steps.

For moving the steps 3 to open position 1 provide an operating member or red 12, mounted for reciprocation in a tubular casing or support 13, attached to the side of the main steps 2 and provided between its ends with upper and lower notches or stops 14: 15, this casing being of a length suitable for its upper end to be engaged by the crank-arm 16 of the rod when the latter is in its normal retracted position, thereby permitting of the steps being locked in folded position by giving the rod a half-turn, the casing being provided with a longitudinal slot 17 to accommodate the crank-arm of the rod during reciprocation of the latter. For guiding the auxiliary steps in their opening and closing movements and for supporting them when in the former position I provide a guide 18, preferably in the form of a length of strap metal annularly bent at its lower end and attached beneath the lowermost auxiliary tread 4:, this guide belng adapted for longitudinal move ment in a guideway 19, attached in any suitable manner to a base-board 20, disposed in rear of the main steps 2. For returning the auxiliary steps automatically to 'lt'oldcd1')osi tion upon release of the rod 12 I employ, preferably, a normally contracted coil-spring 21, attached at its lower end to a stud or projection 22, carried by the guide, and at its upper end to an adjusting member or rod 23, tapped for longitudinal adjustment through a post 24;, carried by the base-board 20.

It is apparent that in practice the steps may be readily lowered by releasing and pressing downward upon the rod 12 and locked in their open positions by turning the rod into engagement with one of the notches 1 .1 '15, attention being here directed to the fact that when the rod is in engagement with the upper stop 14 but one of the auxiliary steps will be unfolded, whereas when it is in engage' ment with the lower stop 15 both of said steps will be in unfolded position. After a passenger has passed to or fromthe car and it is desired to again fold the auxiliary steps the rod or member 12, which in its downward movement expanded the spring 21, is released from its engaging stop, when the spring in again contracting will serve to automatically refold the steps.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I produce a simple inexpensive device which is admirabl y adapted for the attainment of the ends in view; but it is to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details herein set forth, inasmuch as minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In adevice of the class described, the combination with a support, of a pair of foldable steps carried thereby and operatively connected, a pair of telescopic members one being fixed and the other relatively movable for folding and unfolding the steps, and interengaging devices provided respectively on said members to lock the latter against movement and maintain the steps in foldedor unfolded position.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support, of a pair of foldable steps carried thereby and operatively con nected, a tubular member carried by one of the parts and provided with seats arranged at spaced intervals, a second member connected with the other of said parts and designed to telescope with the tubular member, and an engaging portion provided on the second member for engagement with the seats to maintain one or both of the steps in unfolded position.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main step provided with a guideway, of an auxiliary foldable step carried by the main step and comprising a tread and riser pivotally connected, a guide member connected with the tread and arranged for longitudinal movement in the guideway, a spring having one end connected with the guide member, an adjusting-screw connected with the other end of the spring, and means for moving the step to unfolded position against the action of said spring.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. BUCH AN AN.

Witnesses:

J. M. TowLEs, Z. T. ToWLEs. 

